Question Laptop DDR5 SODIMM frequency stagnation

[igor_kavinski]

Why are laptops still stuck at DDR5-4800 for SODIMM modules? And also, whatever happened to promises of higher capacity DDR5 modules? I still don't see a 64GB SODIMM available. I know that LPDDR5-6400 exists but laptops with even 32GB of that are prohibitively expensive, let alone 64GB or 128GB.

 

[Tech Junky]

Maybe the focus is on making desktop units with the push coming up in the next couple of months for AMD and Intel. DDR5 is still a toddler at this point for production as realized with the launch of ADL not even a year ago. Either they underestimated the demand or had some issues in production. When I was planning prices for 16gb jumped from $135 to $500+ in the blink of an eye. While prices have normalized there might be some scalping with the higher end modules since supply is still ramping up.

 

[igor_kavinski]

I guess it's a bad idea to get a DDR5 laptop at this point in time. May have to wait until Dragon Range laptops are easily available. That means Q4 2023 at best.

 

[Tech Junky]

You should check out rjtech.com and look at the barebone options. I wanted an ADL + TB 4 and picked one up for $1300 and just added my drives and ram plus upgraded the WiFi and a 4k panel for pennies compared to a complete build with the same options.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Thanks but shipping costs to UAE will negate any savings for me.

 

[Tech Junky]

Yeah, I suppose that might be an issue. I would still compare side to side to see what the difference is take the model number and throw it in Google and find something more local. I know they have the models shipped from Europe as well at w different borice point.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Precision 7670 Mobile Workstation | Dell USA | Dell USA

Situation is even worse if you want to go with 128GB DDR5. Speed drops to 3600 MHz! Looks like mobile DDR5 has a long way to go before it matures.

 

[Tech Junky]

To me DDR5 is still a gimmick to get more $$$ out of people as it runs at the same practical speed as DDR4 at a 50% markup as a minimum.

I was intrigued by it when it was mentioned but after digging into it didn't really see any technical differences other than shifting some pins and splitting the bus. Bump the speed but the latency increases at the same time to counteract any benefit.

Things might change in a couple of years when DDR6 comes along but, for now and the foreseeable future it's just not worth it to pay up for something that performs like the prior gen.

 

[igor_kavinski]

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Good to see that DDR5 SODIMMs are getting an upgrade to 5600 MT/s (bonus if it's CL36 instead of CL40). With Meteor Lake laptops, hopefully we will have 6400 MT/s modules.

Still a far cry from 10,000 MT/s. Wonder if that will ever be a stock speed for some DDR5 CPU in the future.